Pathogenesis (development of disease)
Internet addiction is probably an impulse control disorder or obsessive-compulsive disorder.
There is probably an increased release of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain. Dopamine causes a reward situation: longer-term motivation increase and drive promotion, which leads to feelings of happiness. Other stimuli cannot compete with this feeling of happiness.
Etiology (causes)
Biographical causes
- Age – age of first use of the Internet.
- Family conflicts
- Loner (introverted person)
- Educational level of the father
Causes due to illness
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) – rate of ADHD and Internet addiction disorder (IAD) associations is 51.6%.
- Anxiety disorders*
- Depression*
- Social phobia
- Gambling addiction
* Sufferers turn to compulsive behaviors to avoid the unpleasant feelings and situation of their psychiatric problems.
Other causes
- Low self-esteem
- Poor face to face communication skills
